Justin Schultz and Patric Hornqvist will be game-time decisions for the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight at PPG Paints Arena.
That was the word this morning from head coach Mike Sullivan, who said yesterday that it would be “reasonable” to expect the two players to return for Game 7 against the Ottawa Senators.
But the signs from this morning’s optional skate were not particularly promising for either player.
Schultz did not opt to skate, which does not necessarily rule him out for tonight. That said, players returning from injury often choose to test things out the morning of the game, just to be sure they’re ready to go.
Hornqvist did skate; however, he stayed on the ice rather late, likewise putting his status for tonight into doubt.
In other news, Conor Sheary may return to the lineup. Sheary skated this morning and left the ice with the players who are playing, while Josh Archibald skated and stayed on later. That suggests Sheary, a scratch in Games 5 and 6, could replace Archibald.
Hornqvist and Archibald going on 40 minutes for gameday skate. Rare for guys who expect to play that night.
— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) May 25, 2017